Philadelphia ? On the night the NBA all-star starters were announced, Allen Iverson called Michael Jordan and offered him his starting spot in the Feb. 9 game. Jordan declined and earlier this week was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference.

Iverson will start for the East alongside Orlando’s Tracy McGrady, Indiana’s Jermaine O’Neal, Toronto’s Vince Carter, and Detroit’s Ben Wallace.

On Thursday, McGrady said he also would be willing to give Jordan his starting spot.

“That shows the type of people they are, what they know about the history of the game and about guys who have paved the way,” Jordan said Thursday. “I would have done it for Dr. J, and I’m pretty sure Dr. J would have done it for somebody else. It just shows how much they care about the game, and how much the game has evolved. I take it as a compliment, but I would rather for them to play and start and let me come off the bench with no side deals.”

Jordan, who was referring to 76ers great Julius Erving, originally said he would like to bypass the All-Star Game. But, if he sticks to what he has said — that this is his last season as a player — this will be his final all-star appearance.

Unlike Iverson and McGrady, Carter said Thursday that he would not relinquish his starting spot because he owes it to his fans.

“It’s a catch-22,” Jordan said of Carter. “If he gives up his spot, the fans are going to be disappointed. If he plays, people are going to suggest he should have given it to me. Even me accepting Tracy or Allen’s offer would make Vince look bad. That’s not what it’s about. Keep it the way it is.”